Insulated compression sleeve



0t.1,196s RFAMANN ETAL 3,404,216

INSULATED COMPRESS ION SLEEVE .Filed Dec. 22, 1967 E@ Tg5 Z5 'f5 f3 543.452 56 40 Paajlmarzm les rl'nafze 5 v75 v7.5'l

gy-0&4@ wf@ 4MM/ ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a compression sleeve type electrical connector having a sheath or sleeve of plastic insulated 'material telescoped thereover. Rib means project between the connector and the sheath at opposite ends thereof for retaining the parts in assembled relationship. Caps are assembled over opposite ends of the sheath and interengaging rib and groove means are provided between the sheath and the caps for retaining the caps.

T he present invention relates to a connector, and more specifically to a novel insulated compression sleeve type connector.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel connector construction having a substantially straight compression sleeve with a sheath of insulating material telescoped thereover, which sheath and sleeve are formed so that they may be readily assembled with each other and so that they are effectively and securely retained in assembled relationship.

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide a novel connector structure of the above described type having interengaging elements extending between the sleeve and the sheath and located for facilitating assembly and minimizing interference between the parts during assembly while being effective for retaining the parts in finally assembled condition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel connector structure of the above described type having cap means adapted to be assembled over an end of the insulating sheath, which cap means and sheath are constructed so as to facilitate assembly and so as to insure retention in assembled relationship.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and vthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a connector device incorporating features of the present invention joining adjacent ends of a pair of wires;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; y

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded partial sectional view showing an end portion of the insulating sleeve and a complementary cap member; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an end portion of the connector structure.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a connector device incorporating features of the present invention includes a compression sleeve 12 formed from a suitable malleable metal. Connectors of the type contemplated herein are most frequently used for joining electrical wires 14 and 16 and therefore, the metal from which the sleeve 12 is formed is preferably a good connector of electricity. For example, the sleeve 12 may be formed from aluminum, copper or brass.

The compression sleeve 12 is a cylindrical member of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length.

,United States Patent O 3,404,216 Patented Oct. 1, 1968 ice,

Axially extending bores 18 and 20 are formed in opposite end portions of the sleeve for accommodating the wires 14 and 16. Preferably, the bores are separated by a central web 22. Opposite end edges 24 and 26 of the compression sleeve body are rounded or beveled as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 for the purpose described below. As will be understood, the sleeve 12 is secured to the wires by first inserting the wires into the bores and then compressing or crimping the sleeve with the aid of a suitable tool, not shown.

In order to insulate the metal body 12, a sheath 28 of tough resilient plastic insulating material is telescoped thereover. While various insulating materials may be used, polyethylene and nylon are examples of the materials which are found to be satisfactory.

The sheath 28 has a length substantially greater than the length of the metal body 12 so that opposite vend portions 30 and 32 project axially substantial distances beyond opposite ends of the metal body. These end portions dene chambers adapted to contain a compound of known composition suitable for aiding and maintaining a good electrical connection between the wires and the body 12 and in resisting corrosion. The internal diameter of the sheath is the same as the external diameter of the body 12 so that there is a snug fit between these parts tending to retain the parts against axial displacement. In order positively to preclude unauthorized axial displacement of the sheath relative to the body 12, annular ribs 34 and 36 formed integrally with the sheath project radially inwardly for engagement with opposite ends of the body 12 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 5. The axial spacing between the ribs 34 and 36 is substantially the same as the axial length of the body 12 so that the opposite ends of the body member are tightly embraced by the ribs.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an annular band of the body member 12 is knurled or formed with serrations 38 at a location closely adjacent to one end of the body mernber. The knurling or serrations 38 project a slight distance radially outwardly for engaging the interior surface of the sheath 28 and preventing relative rotation between the sheath and the body member.

During assembly of the parts, the body member 12 is inserted into an end of the sheath until it engages one of the internal ribs. As previously indicated, the knurling 38 is formed only adjacent one end of the body member 12 land it is preferably the opposite end of the body member which is initially inserted into the sheath so that there will be a minimum of interference between the knurling and the sheath during the assembling operation. As insertion of the body member 12 progresses, the beveled or rounded end thereof engages the internal rib or bead within the entering end portion of the sheath 28 and wedges or expands the sheath sufficiently to permit the body to pass through the bead. This wedging action of the beveled or rounded end surface enables the sleeve to be expanded without danger of injury to the bead. When the body member and sheath have been fully assembled, the expanded portion of the sheath and the bead spring back to their original diameter so that the bead engages the end of the body member in the manner described above.

Caps or closure ele-ments 40 and 42 are assembled over the opposite end portions 30 and 32 of the sheath so as to retain the aforementioned compound material therein and also for preventing the entry of moisture and other foreign substances. The cap members respectively have end walls 44 and 46 and cylindrical side walls 48 and S0. The internal diameter of the cap member side walls is the same as the external diameter of the sheath 28 so that these parts iit snugly together. In order more positively to retain the cap members on the sheath, spaced outwardly extending annular ribs 52 and 54 are formed on Vthe sheath end portion 30 for engaging in complementary grooves 56 and 58 in the cap member side wall 48. Substantially identical but oppositely disposed annular ribs 60 and 62 are formed on the sheath end portion 32 for engaging in grooves `64 and 66 in the cap member side wall 50.

The construction of the ribs 60 and 62 and grooves 64 and 66 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. Upon referring to these figures it is seen that the ribs 60 and 62 are not only axially spaced 'from each other but are also axially spaced a substantial distance from the internal rib 36 and the end of the body member 12. Furthermore, the ribs 60 an-d 62 have beveled cam faces or surfaces 68 and 70 facing generally toward the outer end of the structure and second ifaces 72 and 74 extending generally radially or perpendicularly with respect to the sheath and intersecting the beveled surfaces at sharp edges 76 and 78. The grooves 64 and 66 respectively have first inclined surfaces 8) and 82 for substantially mating with the inclined surfaces 68 and 70 of the ribs. However, rather than having generally radially extending surfaces corresponding to the surfaces 72 and 74 of the ribs, the grooves have second beveled or inclined surfaces 84 and 86 so that each groove has a generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

The afore-mentioned construction and location of the ribs and grooves on the sheath and cap members enables the cap members to be easily assembled and securely retained. In addition, the construction enables the cap members which are preferably molded to be removed from the mold without damage. During assembly of the cap member, the inclined surfaces 68 and 70 engage the interior of the cap member with a wedging action which tends to expand the cap member and to collapse the outer end of the sheath. Since, as indicated above, the ribs are spaced axially outwardly a substantial distance from the end of the body member, such radial collapsing of the sheath is permitted since it receives little internal support from the body member. In the embodiment shown, the rib 62 and the corresponding rib 54 at the opposite end of the sheath are spaced a distance equal to about the radius of the sheath. After the cap is fully assembled, the relatively sharp edges 76 and 78 of the ribs aggressively engage the walls 84 and 86 of the grooves so as to positively prevent unauthorized removal of the cap member.

The end walls 44 and I46 of the cap member have central portions 90 and 92 which are relatively thin. The thickness of the material is reduced sufficiently so that these central portions may be easily punctured when the wires 14 and 16 are inserted into the connector. Furthermore, the thin wall portions conform to and snugly grip the wires so as effectively to seal the interior of the connector.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A connector comprising an elongated cylindrical metal body having a predetermined length and a substantially uniform diameter throughout its length; axially extending bore means in said body for accommodatingma wire or the like, a sheath of tough resilient electrical insulating material snugly fitting over said body7 said sheath including first and second annular internal rib means spaced apart a distance substantially equal to said predetermined length and having an internal diameter less than said diameter of the body, said rib means respectively engaging opposite ends of the body land Yretaining the body against axial movement within the sheath,'said sheath including a tubular end portion projecting axially beyond one end of the body a substantial distance, and a closure member of resilient electrical insulating material having a cylindrical side wall portion snugly telescopically fitting with said tubular sheath end portion, interengaging annular rib means and annular groove means respectively on said sheath end portion and in said side -wall portion releasably retaining said closure member, said groove means including surfaces inclined oppositely from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath and presenting a generally V-shaped cross-section `and the rib means including intersecting surfaces presenting a relatively sharp edge engaging said V-shaped surfaces for retaining said closure member, said body inclu-ding beveled surface means extending from its outer circumference axially outwardly and radially inwardly at an end thereof for engaging and expanding one of said internal rib means during initial assembly of the body with the sheath for permitting the body to be slipped axially into the sheath, and radially projecting serrations on said body and spaced axially from said last mentioned end of the body and only substantially at the opposite end of the body, said serrations engaging said sheath and preventing relative rotation between the sheath and the body. 2. A connector, as defined in claim 1, wherein said sheath includes a pair of said tubular end portions respectively projecting axially beyond opposite ends of the body distances at least substantially as great as the radius of said sheath, said connector further including a pair of said closure members respectively having cylindrical side wall portions telescoping over said tubular end portions of the sheath, said annular rib means being located on .and integral with both of said sheath tubular end portions, said annular groove means being located in said side wall portions of both of said closure members, said annular rib means on each sheath tubular end portion including a pair of axially spaced annular ribs each including a beveled surface facing generally toward an outer end of its sheath end portion and a substantially radi-ally extending surface intersecting said beveled surface, and each of said groove means in each of said closure member side wall portions including a pair of axially spaced annular grooves receiving said pair of annular ribs and respectively defined by surf-aces presenting a V-shaped cross-section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,981,787 4/1961 Brautigam et al. 174-84 '3,065,292 11/1962 Chickvary 174-84 3,213,186 10/1965 Raila et al. 174-84 DARRELL L. CLAY, Primary Examiner. 

